4th Semi-Annual Painted Desert Rendezvous - Dates Changed

[PaleoRob]

Update: Date has changed again, due to a myriad of issues. Date now TBD April/early May

Alright, its December. What does that mean, beside that 2009 is rushing at us at ungodly speed? It means that although barely a month has gone by, I am already doing some plotting for the 4th Semi-Annual Painted Desert Rendezvous, and I'd like to bounce some ideas off of you who are potentially interested.

As a recap to those who haven't been, the idea behind the SAPDR is for folks to get together and explore a little wedge of the Painted Desert. Works well since generally our destinations have been about equal travel time for Phonecians and myself. We hike about in a somewhat aimless fashion, sometimes following leads from rangers, archaeologists, or my own personal hunches and experiences, finding fossils, rock art, ruins, pottery, and pretty rocks. The goal isn't massive miles, it is more about seeing what is out there in a little-explored region of our state that I (and others) happen to find fascinating. In the past it has been a combination between dayhikers and backpackers. There's something for everyone.

So, that little bit out of the way, here's some thoughts. Just tossing them out here to see what sticks.

Accommodations: The past 3 trips have been generally backpacking based, and this has worked out well, especially since our camps have been close enough to the trailhead to allow dayhikers freedom to explore as well. However there were some suggestions before this last excursion about motels and car camping ("gentlemen camping" as Randal might call it). Thoughts on any of this? There's no developed camping within the Petrified Forest, but the PeFo is but a small part of the Painted Desert. Developed campgrounds exist at Homolovi State Park and could be used as a base-camp. Those not wanting to camp would have motels in the area to chose from that are close to Homolovi. Upside is more gear and food we could use at the basecamp, downside being we're not in the middle of the wilderness and there is a fee.

Destinations: The last three trips have all generally been centered around the PeFo, which has been fine. There is lots to explore in the PeFo, and we've just begun to scratch the surface (even though I've been hiking out there for a decade now). But, as I mentioned above, the PeFo is just a little slice of the Painted Desert and some during our last outing suggested branching out. Well I've got a pretty big list of things I've got on my mind in terms of the Painted Desert, some outside the park, so here's a breakdown of some.
Black Falls Crossing - On the Navajo Nation, just across the LCR from Wupatki National Monument. I know very little about the area, but it is within the PD and due to its proximity to Wupatki there are likely lots of ruins. Crossing the LCR could be difficult to impossible in the spring however
Chavez Pass Pueblo - not in the PD per say, but it was an important and very large gateway pueblo between the LCR communities and the Mogollon Rim/Salt-Verde River basins to the south. This would be a simple dayhike/possible base (car) camp.
Chinde Mesa - within PeFo, it is the large, low mesa you see due north from the Painted Desert Inn. About a 10 mile round trip - probably a 5 mile backpack to give us time to explore and check things out in the area. Would probably end up taking up most of the time of the PDR, which is ok.
Hibbard Road - North of Hibbard is some state trust land that I've been out on several years back. There's some petroglyphs and fossils in the area that I know of, and I've got vague directions and tantalizing descriptions of some other stuff out there. It isn't as multicolored as the rest of the PD, as it is primarily composed of Moenkopi sandstones.
Holbrook Petroglyph Park - A ?city park located near the golf course. Haven't been there myself, and the road is short but kinda iffy, but the pictures of the 'glyphs I've seen look kinda cool
Homolovi Ruins State Park - More of a quick destination/base camp than a location for thorough exploration, it none-the-less provides a glimpse into the ancient inhabitants of the PD. And a handy potential base camp
Little Painted Desert County Park - Don't know much about it, though I've driven by it a few times. Supposed to have several miles of hiking trails into the Chinle badlands. Just north of Homolovi. Probably no camping/backpacking possibilities, but close enough to other things to make it a day trip.
Mountain Lion Mesa - Destination of the last PDR. Lots of stuff in the immediate vicinity we didn't get to explore, and further reading suggests other items of interest in the nearby areas as well
Ward Terrace - Stretches on Moenave benches and Chinle slopes from near Tuba City to Black Falls Crossing area. There was an article by Scott Thybony in AZH, November of 2006. Crazy hoodoos, arches, dinosaur tracks, and prehistoric ladles are all pictured, but I have little experience in the area myself.

So, there's a list of some of the places I've been looking to explore/get back to along with a few non-backpacking options for those who may not want to backpack. What do you all think about these? I want to get things organized a little bit sooner than the previous PDR.

[big_load]

I currently have a conflict that weekend (party for a hiking buddy on the crip list). I can't promise to make it if you move the date, but I'll stay tuned.

[PaleoRob]

Due to conflicts with my life and potential conflicts with interested parties, this trip is going to be pushed back either to the end of April or early May.

[azbackpackr]

Is it the 25th and 26th you are thinking of? I might like to go! (Depends upon my work situation at that time, naturally.)

I personally am interested in backpacking, even if only for a short distance in. I can be there in about an hour and a half.

[PaleoRob]

That was one weekend I was thinking of. Have to look at my schedule. It'll also depend on what my new work schedule is going to be. Should know in a week or so.

[big_load]

I sympathize with your conflict issue. I'm still booked solid through April, and May isn't looking so great either.

[azbackpackr]

Oh, PageRob, you got a job? That's great! What is the job?

[azbackpackr]

OK, it's still on my calendar as April 25-26. Any idea if this is going to happen, PageRob? I still have to come up with some gas money. Yes, I am THAT broke! But I have the time free, I think, unless some weekend job comes up.

[PaleoRob]

I'm going to be working at the dam for the Glen Canyon Natural History Association.
I'm thinking maybe that first weekend in May now. Would that work for you?

[azbackpackr]

Probably not. I'm supposed to miss a couple days of work and go to a mtn. bike race in Colorado that weekend, and if I can't afford to miss the work I was planning to go down to Eagle Creek with the White Mtn. Conservation League to do some trail work or some sort of work they are doing down there. I have never been there, and can get a ride for free.

[PaleoRob]

Ah hah, mmm...well maybe we can still do it that last weekend in April then...

[azbackpackr]

Well, what about the rest of the bunch? Right now everything as to my leisure activities is very iffy. But the 25th does look a lot better. Have you posted the event elsewhere as well?

[oliverr99]

Ok, when are you planning to do this? 4/25? Are you car camping or backpacking? I might be able to go.Depends if husband will let me! Since I survived Bullet Canyon with you, I think I can survive this! lol

[PaleoRob]

I think we're looking at the 25th, car camping at Homolovi.

[Sun_Ray]

Rob, I'll mark me down as 'interested'. I've got a commitment on Friday night the 24th so would mean I'd need to drive the 3 hours from the PHX area on Saturday AM. Not sure what time you'll be starting out on Saturday. Plus, my son's wife is due with baby on May 5th and my wife and I are planning to fly to Sacramento as soon as she leaves for the hospital. Not sure if my wife will feel this weekend is to close to the due date and will want me around. Anyway I'll watch this topic and keep you posted. Car camping works for me. Brian, AKA Sun Ray

[oliverr99]

I was just informed that we will have my niece and nephew that weekend. Sorry. I really wanted to go. :-(

[PaleoRob]

Anne, sorry to hear about the conflict, but is always nice to have nieces and nephews around!

Ray, hope you'll be able to make it up here. I know its a little drive from PHX, but not as bad as getting to Page, let alone someplace really far up in UT. Present it that way to your wife. ;)

Elizabeth, I have not posted this one AzB or AzH, but will likely do so sometime this week. After all this floating about, I think I'll call the 25th our firm date, and be done with it. It'll likely work better that way for everyone.

Hope we can have a good number of folks show up!

[big_load]

OK, I won't be able to make that. I'll keep me eye out for the next one.

[PaleoRob]

Another disclaimer - rain or snow will lead to cancellation, since the Chinle is no fun at all to walk on when it is wet.

[azbackpackr]

Rob, I am too broke right now. I can't even use my credit card, because I didn't pay the bill! Unless I can come up with some moola I will have to pass. I'm really sorry.

[PaleoRob]

Bummer! We do have to get together at some point Elizabeth! Maybe in the fall (or we'll head out in your direction).
We'll see what everyone else does here, I guess...